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Junior Byles

Junior Byles

Junior Byles, born Kerrie Byles in 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica, is a seminal figure in reggae music, known for his haunting voice, socially conscious lyrics, and emotive delivery. Emerging in the late 1960s, Byles first gained attention as the lead singer of the vocal trio The Versatiles, which he formed with Dudley Earl and Ben 'Louis' Davis. The group recorded for legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry at his Black Ark studio, where Byles would forge a long-standing and fruitful creative partnership.

After The Versatiles disbanded, Byles embarked on a solo career under Perry’s guidance, and his breakthrough came with the 1971 hit "Beat Down Babylon" a searing critique of corruption and injustice in Jamaican society. The song became an anthem for the oppressed and established Byles as a voice of resistance in reggae. Other standout tracks like "Curly Locks," "Fade Away," and "A Place Called Africa" showcased his versatility, blending roots reggae with heartfelt melodies and deeply personal storytelling.

Byles’ music stood out not only for its political content but also for its spiritual and emotional intensity. He was a Rastafarian and channeled his beliefs into his music, often grappling with themes of suffering, redemption, and hope. However, his career was hampered by personal struggles, including mental health challenges, which led to periods of withdrawal from the music scene.

Despite these setbacks, Junior Byles’ legacy remains powerful. His early recordings, especially those produced by Perry, are considered classics of roots reggae and have influenced generations of artists. His voice raw, aching, and soulful continues to resonate with listeners who connect with the depth and authenticity of his music. Though not as prolific or widely known as some of his contemporaries, Junior Byles is revered by reggae aficionados as one of the genre’s most profound and underrated talents.

Albums

Curly Locks
Junior Byles - Curly Locks
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles - Rasta No Pickpocket
Jordan
Junior Byles - Jordan
A Long Way
Junior Byles - A Long Way
Beat Down Babylon
Junior Byles - Beat Down Babylon

Songs

The Long Way
Junior Byles - The Long Way
Curley Locks
Junior Byles - Curley Locks
The Thanks We Get
Junior Byles - The Thanks We Get
When Will Better Come
Junior Byles - When Will Better Come
Pretty Dub
Junior Byles - Pretty Dub
Pretty Baby
Junior Byles - Pretty Baby
Rasta No Pick Pocket
Junior Byles - Rasta No Pick Pocket
Mumbling & Grumbling
Junior Byles - Mumbling & Grumbling
Fun and Games
Junior Byles - Fun and Games
Auntie Lulu
Junior Byles - Auntie Lulu
Now Generartion
Junior Byles - Now Generartion
Dreader Locks
Junior Byles - Dreader Locks
Curley Locks
Junior Byles - Curley Locks
Know Where You
Junior Byles - Know Where You're Going
Chant Down Babylon
Junior Byles - Chant Down Babylon
Know Where You
Junior Byles - Know Where You're Going
Pitchy Patchy
Junior Byles - Pitchy Patchy
Remember Me
Junior Byles - Remember Me
Chant Down Babylon
Junior Byles - Chant Down Babylon
Pitchy Patchy
Junior Byles - Pitchy Patchy
Remember Me
Junior Byles - Remember Me
Cutting Razor
Junior Byles - Cutting Razor
Da Da
Junior Byles - Da Da
Come Da Da
Junior Byles - Come Da Da
Fever
Junior Byles - Fever
Lick the Pipe Peter
Junior Byles - Lick the Pipe Peter
A Place Called Africa
Junior Byles - A Place Called Africa
Long Way
Junior Byles - Long Way
When Will Better Come
Junior Byles - When Will Better Come
Informer Man
Junior Byles - Informer Man
Curly Locks
Junior Byles - Curly Locks
Curly Locks No. 2
Junior Byles - Curly Locks No. 2
Curly Locks No. 3
Junior Byles - Curly Locks No. 3
Fun and Games
Junior Byles - Fun and Games
Education Rock
Junior Byles - Education Rock
Got the Tip
Junior Byles - Got the Tip
What Is This World Coming to
Junior Byles - What Is This World Coming to
Are You Leading Me On
Junior Byles - Are You Leading Me On
A Matter of Time
Junior Byles - A Matter of Time
Thanks We Get
Junior Byles - Thanks We Get
Now Generation
Junior Byles - Now Generation
Demonstration
Junior Byles - Demonstration
Thanks and Praise Version
Junior Byles - Thanks and Praise Version
Press Along Version
Junior Byles - Press Along Version
Weeping
Junior Byles - Weeping
Bur Boy
Junior Byles - Bur Boy
This Feeling
Junior Byles - This Feeling
Cally Weed
Junior Byles - Cally Weed
I No Got It
Junior Byles - I No Got It
Press Along
Junior Byles - Press Along
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles - Rasta No Pickpocket
Thanks and Praise
Junior Byles - Thanks and Praise
I Don
Junior Byles - I Don't Know
Burrie Boy
Junior Byles - Burrie Boy
Ain
Junior Byles - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Oh Carolina
Junior Byles - Oh Carolina
I Ain
Junior Byles - I Ain't Got It
Lorna Banana
Junior Byles - Lorna Banana
Jordan
Junior Byles - Jordan
Mystic Revelation
Junior Byles - Mystic Revelation
Medley: Beat Down Babylon/Curl
Junior Byles - Medley: Beat Down Babylon/Curl
A Place Called Africa
Junior Byles - A Place Called Africa
Stick of a Ounce
Junior Byles - Stick of a Ounce
Jah Will Be Mine
Junior Byles - Jah Will Be Mine
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles - Rasta No Pickpocket
Trial and Crosses
Junior Byles - Trial and Crosses
I Don
Junior Byles - I Don't Know
Babylon
Junior Byles - Babylon
Africa
Junior Byles - Africa
Take My Share
Junior Byles - Take My Share
What We Do for Them
Junior Byles - What We Do for Them
It Was a Long Way
Junior Byles - It Was a Long Way
Sugar Sugar
Junior Byles - Sugar Sugar
Da Da
Junior Byles - Da Da
Whip Them, Whip Them
Junior Byles - Whip Them, Whip Them
Righteous Oily
Junior Byles - Righteous Oily
Rub Up Festival
Junior Byles - Rub Up Festival '71
Informer Men
Junior Byles - Informer Men
Africa Stand
Junior Byles - Africa Stand
Education Rock
Junior Byles - Education Rock
King of Babylon
Junior Byles - King of Babylon
Got the Tip
Junior Byles - Got the Tip
Fever
Junior Byles - Fever
Pharaoh Hiding
Junior Byles - Pharaoh Hiding
Another Moses
Junior Byles - Another Moses
Come Da Da
Junior Byles - Come Da Da
Poor Chubby
Junior Byles - Poor Chubby
A Matter of Time
Junior Byles - A Matter of Time
Joshua
Junior Byles - Joshua's Desire
A Place Called Africa
Junior Byles - A Place Called Africa
Beat Down Babylon
Junior Byles - Beat Down Babylon
Coming Again
Junior Byles - Coming Again
Demonstration
Junior Byles - Demonstration
Don
Junior Byles - Don't Know Why
I
Junior Byles - I've Got a Feeling
(Festival) Da D
Junior Byles - (Festival) Da D

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Reggae singer Junior Byles has died
Reggae singer Junior Byles has died
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